Today, the European Commission adopted a European Ocean Pact, a comprehensive strategy to better protect the ocean, promote a thriving blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas. The Pact brings together EU ocean policies under one single reference framework, addressing the significant threats facing our ocean, our coastal communities, islands and outermost regions.
One ocean, one strategy
The European Ocean Pact focuses on six priorities:
Protecting and restoring ocean health
The Commission will support Member States restoring degraded coastal and marine habitats. Key actions include encouraging Member States to establish and manage marine protected areas and revise the Maritime Strategy Framework Directive and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive.
Boosting the competitiveness of the EU sustainable blue economy
The ocean is crucial for sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, tourism and energy. The Commission plans to boost the EU’s maritime industry with a new Industrial Maritime Strategy and an EU Ports Strategy. It will also evaluate and possibly revise the Common Fisheries Policy. To ensure thriving EU fisheries and aquaculture, the Commission will present a long-term vision for these sectors in 2026. The Commission will also foster access to young professionals in marine research, ocean tech, and sustainable fisheries by introducing a Blue Generational Renewal Strategy.
Supporting coastal, island communities and outermost regions
Coastal communities are the driving force behind a sustainable and competitive blue economy. They provide Europeans with healthy and sustainable food, and with clean and affordable marine renewable energy. Ensuring the future of these communities is therefore crucial. The Commission will present a dedicated strategy for the development and resilience of EU coastal communities and consult stakeholders on a new strategy for islands as well as an updated outermost regions strategy. In addition, the Commission will make a proposal on the creation of European blue carbon reserves.
Advancing ocean research, knowledge, skills and innovation
The Ocean Pact proposes an ambitious EU Ocean Observation Initiative to improve our knowledge of the ocean. It will be underpinned by an Ocean Research and Innovation Strategy and feed the European Digital Twin of the Ocean. It will maintain the EU as a global ocean leader in ocean science, technology and data. To raise awareness on the importance of the ocean, the Commission will establish an EU Ocean Youth Ambassador Network to engage young advocates in ocean sustainability across the EU and globally.
Enhancing maritime security and defence
The Commission will strengthen EU coast guard and naval cooperation and maritime border security. There will be a coordinated strategy to remove unexploded ordnance from European waters, starting in the Baltic and North Seas. Investment will be made in a pioneering European drone fleet, leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced sensors for real-time monitoring of maritime activities, strengthening the EU’s maritime surveillance capabilities.
Strengthening EU Ocean diplomacy and international ocean governance
The Commission will step up its fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing through the mandatory implementation of IT CATCH, the digitalisation of the IUU catch certification scheme, as of January 2026. The Commission will also strengthen European ocean diplomacy to promote the EU’s ocean goals and interests on the international stage. The Commission will focus on priorities such as the swift worldwide ratification and implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, an ambitious Plastics Treaty and the designation of three vast marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean.
Implementation and monitoring
To achieve the Ocean Pact’s targets, the Commission will present an Ocean Act by 2027. This Pact will establish a single framework to facilitate the implementation of the Pact’s key objectives, while cutting red tape.
It will be based on a revised Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, which will enhance cross-sectoral coordination and sea basin management.
The Commission will also set up a high-level Ocean Board, bringing together representatives from various ocean-related sectors, to guide the Ocean Pact’s implementation, and launch an EU Ocean Pact dashboard, providing a public, transparent and centralised platform to track progress towards its objectives.
Next steps
The European Ocean Pact will be presented at the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference on 9 June, by President von der Leyen.
Background
The European Ocean Pact was introduced in the political guidelines of the von der Leyen II Commission and called for in the Conclusions of the European Council of 20 March 2025.
More information
Quote(s)
Ocean is water, water is life. That is why the European Ocean Pact is so important to us. This comprehensive strategy will protect the ocean and promote a sustainable blue economy. It will not only benefit the planet, but also the people who call the coast their home, and the generations who will steward our oceans tomorrow.
The ocean is the foundation of life and our ally for a better future. With 40% of Europeans living within 50 km of the sea, our coastal communities are the backbone of our society and economy. The Ocean Pact will empower coastal communities, islands and outermost regions to unlock the full potential of our ocean and create a more prosperous future for all.
The European Ocean Pact is not a message in a bottle – it’s a concrete plan for action. We will work tirelessly to implement its priorities and ensure that the new governance approach to our ocean policies guide our work in the years to come, promoting healthy fisheries, a competitive blue economy, thriving coastal communities, and are mirrored in our engagement at the international level. By advancing our ocean knowledge and strengthening maritime security, we will protect our waters and communities.
Source – EU Commission
Questions and answers on the European Ocean Pact
Why is the Commission proposing a European Ocean Pact now?
The ocean is facing many challenges, including climate change, pollution, and overexploitation of marine resources, which require urgent action.
This environmental degradation is further exacerbated by rising geopolitical tensions, which undermine international cooperation and pose a significant threat to global security. The freedom of navigation and action at sea is increasingly challenged, while critical maritime infrastructure is under threat. The emergence of hybrid threats and cyber-attacks has blurred national borders, making maritime security a pressing concern. As a result, safeguarding European borders and infrastructure has become a top priority.
To tackle these complex challenges and reaffirm Europe’s leadership in ocean governance, the European Ocean Pact introduces a comprehensive approach that builds upon existing laws and initiatives.
The European Ocean Pact will provide a single reference framework that spans all policy areas, enabling a more effective and coordinated response to the pressing issues facing our oceans.
The pact brings together the European Union’s policies and actions related to the ocean and creates a unified and coordinated plan for managing the ocean.
Why is the ocean important?
The ocean is important because it is the foundation of life on Earth, providing a wide range of resources, benefits and services that are essential for human well-being. It provides a big part of the oxygen we breathe, food for billions of people, and it regulates the climate. It holds 80% of global biodiversity.
The ocean and seas are also important for our prosperity, competitiveness and security. They are critical for our energy, data, and strategic resources.
With the world’s largest collective maritime area, about 70,000 km coastline and 40% of its population living within 50 km of the sea, the EU has a critical interest in maritime matters. Maritime routes carry some 74% of the EU’s external trade, and underwater communication cables carry 99% of inter-continental internet traffic.
The EU blue economy (all the sectors related to the sea, including fisheries and aquaculture, shipping, coastal tourism, ports, marine renewable energy) directly supports nearly 5 million jobs and contributes over €250 billion in gross value added annually to the EU economy.
By adopting a coordinated and unified approach to ocean management, we can better protect the ocean, build a resilient and more competitive blue economy and support thriving coastal communities.
What is the European Ocean Pact?
The Pact is a European initiative, bringing together European ocean policies into a single, cohesive framework, yielding direct benefits for ocean protection and its ecosystems, coastal communities and the economy as a whole.
The Pact aims to take a holistic approach, promoting collaboration across EU Member States, regions, and stakeholders including fishers, other blue economy professionals, innovators, investors, scientists, and civil society. It sets out a series of flagship actions over the years to come.
It announces the adoption of a proposal for an Ocean Act by 2027, as well as the establishment of an Ocean Board, gathering relevant stakeholders.
The European Ocean Pact is built around six priorities:
- Restoring ocean health and productivity
- Boosting the sustainable competitiveness of the blue economy
- Supporting coastal and island communities
- Advancing ocean research, knowledge, and innovation
- Enhancing maritime security and resilience
- Strengthening EU Ocean diplomacy and international ocean governance
The Ocean Pact was developed following a collaborative and inclusive process, incorporating contributions from the general public, fishers and other blue economy professionals, sectoral organisations, scientists and NGOs. It will be updated as needs evolve. In essence, the European Ocean Pact is a comprehensive and collaborative initiative that seeks to protect and sustainably manage the ocean, while promoting economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection.
What are the main initiatives announced by the European Ocean Pact?
By 2027, the Commission will propose an Ocean Act, building upon a revised Maritime Spatial Planning Directive. It will strengthen and modernise maritime spatial planning through improved cross-sectoral coordination at national level and a more coordinated approach to managing seas basins, ensuring a more coordinated and sustainable use of marine resources
The Act will provide a single framework to facilitate the implementation of the Pact, while also reducing administrative burden.
The Pact will also cut red tape by simplifying coordination processes and reducing reporting obligations for Member States. It will provide a clear strategy to implement existing legislations in a more cohesive and effective manner across different sectors.
In addition to the Ocean Act, key initiatives include:
- Establishing a high-level Ocean Board to support the effective implementation of the Ocean Pact.
- Launching a public “EU Ocean Pact Dashboard”, tracking the implementation and achievement of the Ocean Pact’s targets.
- Strengthening coastal communities’ resilience through EU financing and EIB loans, prioritizing support for small-scale fisheries and introducing a Blue Generational Renewal Strategy.
- Consulting and developing a strategy for islands and an updated strategy for outermost regions.
- Fostering sustainable aquaculture through a dedicated Initiative and promoting European blue carbon reserves and innovative business models for coastal communities.
- Implementing a coordinated strategy to remove unexploded ordnance in EU waters, starting in the Baltic and North Seas.
- Fostering a community of young ocean advocates through an EU Ocean Youth Ambassador Network
- Enhancing the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing through the mandatory implementation of digital catch certification and IT CATCH by January 2026.
How will this Ocean Pact work?
The European Ocean Pact introduces a more comprehensive and integrated approach to ocean management, ensuring that all EU policies linked to the ocean are better coordinated.
As a key milestone, the Commission will propose an Ocean Act in 2027, building on a revised Maritime Spatial Planning Directive. This will enhance and modernise maritime spatial planning, providing a powerful tool for implementing the Ocean Pact’s priorities and promoting sustainable ocean management.
The Pact will simplify and streamline coordination processes, reducer reporting obligations for Member States and provide a clear strategy to implement existing legislations in a more cohesive and effective manner across different sectors.
To ensure the successful implementation of the Ocean Pact, the Commission will work closely with EU Member States, regions and stakeholders. This will involve monitoring progress, addressing challenges, and adjusting as needed.
A high-level Ocean Board will be established to support the Commission in its oversight and implementation efforts.
To ensure transparency and track progress, the Commission will launch a dedicated EU Ocean Pact Dashboard and publish regular State of the Ocean Reports.
How will the European Ocean Pact improve the EU’s competitiveness?
The European Pact aims to position Europe as a global trend-setter in the sustainable blue economy, showing how environmental resilience goes hand-in-hand with economic opportunities.
The European Ocean Pact aims to increase the EU’s competitiveness by supporting the development of sustainable and innovative industries, and by promoting the use of new technologies and tools to study and understand the ocean’s ecosystems.
By fostering innovation in sectors like renewable ocean energy, clean shipping, sustainable aquaculture, blue bioeconomy, underwater robotics and other emerging ocean sectors, the Pact contributes directly to Europe’s economic prosperity.
A regenerative blue economy that restores the ocean while fostering development, social inclusion and equity will work to revitalise marine resources and the ocean’s natural balance.
This is expected to create new job opportunities and stimulate economic growth.
How does the European Ocean Pact support the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture in the EU?
The European Ocean Pact recognises the crucial role of fisheries and aquaculture in the blue economy, as they provide a vital source of food and contribute to the EU’s food security.
Yet, 70% of aquatic food consumed in the EU today is imported. There is a need to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of these sectors.
To address this challenge, the EU will undertake a comprehensive evaluation and possible revision of the Common Fisheries Policy, as well as develop a Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture. This complements the Vision for Agriculture and Food and aims to ensure a stable supply of sustainable and nutritious food for the EU market.
Key initiatives to support the development of fisheries and aquaculture include:
- Decarbonising and modernising the fisheries fleet, with support from the Energy Transition Partnership for the fisheries and aquaculture sector
- Prioritising support for small scale fisheries
- Unlocking the potential of aquaculture through the establishment of an EU Initiative on Sustainable Aquaculture, involving various stakeholders such as Member States’ authorities, representatives of the aquaculture sector, research and innovation institutions, business accelerators, and financial institutions.
- Scaling up European algae production, which offers a promising opportunity for sustainable and nutritious food production
- Launching an EU-wide campaign in 2027 promoting the benefits and the value of EU-produced and sustainable aquatic food, and to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable seafood production.
- Leading by example, through its zero-tolerance approach to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, based on dialogues with third countries the EU will promote sustainable fishing practices globally. A key tool in this effort will be the digital EU Catch Certification scheme (CATCH), which helps to prevent IUU fishery products from entering the EU market, thereby safeguarding its integrity and promoting a level playing field.
How will the Pact support coastal communities?
The Ocean Pact introduces a targeted set of actions to boost resilience, prosperity, and sustainability in coastal communities and islands.
This includes the launch of an EU Coastal Communities Development and Resilience Strategy and a consultation to inform the development of an islands strategy and update the outermost regions strategy.
The EU will bolster coastal resilience and drive ecological, economic and social benefits by combining financing from structural and cohesion funds, Horizon initiatives (such as Mission Ocean programmes), complemented by EIB loans, to support coastal resilience investment.
What added value will the Ocean Pact have for islands, and especially in the EU outermost regions?
The European Ocean Pact recognises the specific challenges faced by island communities, particularly the EU’s outermost regions, where their extreme remote location, climate change vulnerability and limited economic diversification, mostly limited to fisheries, pose significant hurdles.
Despite these challenges, these regions hold tremendous potential for blue economy growth, thanks to their vast maritime areas, which account for 10% of the EU’s Economic Exclusive Zone.
By leveraging their strategic location near various sea basins, and exceptional marine biodiversity, the EU’s outermost regions can combine sustainable traditional activities with innovative maritime industries, driving economic growth and job creation.
Thanks to their vast maritime zones, the EU outermost regions have a great potential for developing the blue economy, combining sustainable traditional activities and new maritime industries with high growth potential.
The Pact’s actions, including a consultation to inform the development of an island strategy and update the outermost regions strategy, will support these regions in unlocking their full potential, promoting their unique assets and reinforcing a sustainable international ocean management to better preserve marine biological resources.
Are there any initiatives or programmes specifically designed for young people and women?
The European Commission will launch an EU Ocean Youth Ambassador Network, building on the success of the Youth4Ocean Forum. This network will provide a platform for young people to engage in ocean sustainability efforts, across the EU and globally. The European Commission will also host annual Youth Policy Dialogues, ensuring that young people’s voices are heard and integrated into policymaking.
A new internship programme under the EU4Ocean coalition will offer young people hands-on experience in jobs that contribute to a competitive and sustainable blue economy. This will not only equip young people with the skills necessary for future careers, but it will also promote a deeper understanding of the private sector’s impact on the marine environment and the importance of sustainable practices.
A special focus will be placed on empowering women, as well as other underrepresented groups, allowing them to take an active role in ocean activities.
How will the Ocean Pact improve ocean observation and marine knowledge?
The European Ocean Pact will launch a new ambitious initiative to increase ocean observation to better understand the ocean and its ecosystems. By launching an ambitious ocean observation initiative, the European Ocean Pact will provide critical information to all marine actors and sectors, supporting informed decision-making, sustainable management, and conservation of the ocean.
A key outcome will be the operationalisation of the European Digital Twin Ocean, a digital representation of the ocean and its multiple components. Its ambition is to make ocean knowledge readily available to citizens, entrepreneurs, scientists and policy-makers by providing them with an innovative set of user-driven, interactive and visualisation tools. This knowledge will help design the most effective ways to restore marine and coastal habitats, support a sustainable blue economy, mitigate and adapt to climate change. The Ocean Observation Initiative will be underpinned by a new European Ocean R&I Strategy, closely tied to the development of a robust EU marine knowledge framework. This framework will build on and further integrate the European Marine Observation and Data network (EMODnet) and the Copernicus Marine Services, which provide the EU with most advanced digital information services. These services include satellite data and predictive analytics for ocean conditions, offering unparalleled insights into global and European sea states.
The European Ocean Pact also promotes international cooperation and collaboration in ocean research and innovation. The pact includes initiatives to support the development of international partnerships and collaborations and to promote the sharing of data and information among scientists and researchers.
How does the European Ocean Pact take into account the current geopolitical situation?
The growing complexity of maritime threats, including attacks on underwater infrastructure, cyber threats, risks posed by the shadow fleet, and strategic competition over maritime spaces, demands a coordinated response. The European Ocean Pact underlines the importance of deepening coast guard cooperation, enhancing maritime domain awareness, investing in cutting-edge maritime technology, strengthening critical infrastructure protection and military mobility, expanding naval defence capabilities as well as reinforced European presence and partnerships worldwide, to effectively counter these emerging threats.
How does the European Ocean Pact support international ocean governance and ocean diplomacy?
The EU and its Member States support multilateralism in ocean governance. Firmly embedded in EU Green diplomacy efforts and supporting the implementation of global commitments notably in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, European ocean diplomacy will intensify actions.
The EU recognises the importance of strategic relationships with partner countries and organisations. In developing our vision for reinforced ocean diplomacy, we have considered the evolving geopolitical context and focused on what the EU can do to shape the agenda, lead by example, build partnerships and uphold international scientific cooperation, starting from a more autonomous European Union in critical ocean infrastructures, data and information services.
The EU will notably prioritise swift ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, aim at an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty, and work on the designation of three vast marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean.
The Third UN Ocean Conference in Nice in June 2025 provides a crucial platform to present the European Ocean Pact and advance our priorities, including the swift implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, a legally binding plastics treaty, and a comprehensive agreement on global fisheries subsidies.
Source – EU Commission
Remarks by EU Commissioner Costas Kadis on the European Ocean Pact
Brussels, 5 June 2025
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are here today to present an emblematic initiative of great importance: The European Ocean Pact.
The Ocean Pact was first announced in the political guidelines last year by President von der Leyen, and was called for by the European Council in its conclusions of 20 March 2025.
But why do we place so much emphasis on the ocean? Just few figures to understand what it is all about and why it matters to all of us.
The Ocean is more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, the Ocean is 80% of global biodiversity, the Ocean is more than 50% of the oxygen produced on our planet, the Ocean is 74% of the EU’s external trade done by maritime transport, the Ocean is 99% of the global internet traffic by underwater cables and last but not least, the Ocean is 5 million jobs in the EU.
The question you will rightly ask me is WHY are you proposing a European Ocean Pact now?
The ocean is facing many challenges, including pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of marine resources, which require urgent attention and action. It also offers immense potential for more investments in a sustainable blue economy, and it is key for our security.
Over the years, the European Commission has introduced numerous policy initiatives relating to the ocean, covering areas such as fisheries and aquaculture, maritime transport, biodiversity protection, blue economy and maritime security.
However, we witnessed a negative trend that needs to be addressed urgently: and this is the fragmentation of policies which has significantly reduced the impact of these policies.
The European Ocean Pact we are presenting today, is about ensuring coherence and coordination across policies, and talking to each other to ensure that our respective policies deliver at their best.
Now please allow me to describe the architecture of this Pact, which is based on 6 fundamental pillars:
Protecting and restoring ocean health
We will support Member States to plan and implement measures to protect and restore degraded coastal and marine habitats. Key actions include encouraging Member States in Marine Protected Areas designation and management, ensuring the implementation of existing environmental legislation such as the Habitats directive and the Nature Restoration Regulation, revising the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and helping build new regenerative business models for coastal communities that benefit both nature and people, for example working on blue carbon reserves.
Boosting the competitiveness of the EU sustainable blue economy
The ocean is key for many economic sectors including fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, energy, coastal tourism, blue biotechnology, and underwater robotics. In addition to the on-going evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy and its possible revision, we will present a vision for fisheries and aquaculture for 2040 with a particular emphasis on small scale fishers among others. The Commission will also propose to strengthen the EU’s maritime industry through an Industrial Maritime Strategy and an EU Port Strategy. It will further present a Sustainable Tourism Strategy and will support the rollout of offshore wind and ocean energy technologies. We will foster access to young professionals in marine research, ocean tech, and sustainable fisheries by introducing a Blue Generational Renewal Strategy.
Supporting coastal, island communities and outermost regions
Coastal communities are the driving force behind a sustainable and competitive blue economy and play a crucial role in providing Europeans with healthy and sustainable food, and clean and affordable marine renewable energy. Ensuring their future is crucial. We will present a dedicated strategy for the development and resilience of EU coastal communities, a new strategy for EU islands and will consult stakeholders with a view to an updated strategy for outermost regions.
Advancing ocean research, knowledge, skills and innovation
The European Ocean Pact proposes an ambitious EU Ocean Observation Initiative to improve our knowledge on the ocean. It will be underpinned by an Ocean Research and Innovation Strategy. It will maintain the EU as a global ocean leader in ocean science.
Enhancing maritime security and defence
This is extremely important, given the current geopolitical context and taking into consideration that our seas host invaluable infrastructure which is indispensable for the well-being of the European citizens. We will work to strengthen EU coast guard and naval cooperation and maritime border security to tackle issues such as attacks on submarine infrastructure, cyber threats and risks posed by the shadow fleet. There will be a coordinated strategy to remove unexploded ordnance from European waters, starting in the Baltic and North Seas. Investment will be made in a pioneering European airborne drone fleet.
Strengthening EU Ocean diplomacy and international ocean governance
We need to mirror our substainable ocean policies to other parts of the world. We will strengthen European ocean diplomacy to promote the EU’s ocean goals and interests on the international stage. We will promote global action in favour of ocean sustainability such as the ratification and implementation of the Treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction. We will step up our fight against Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing through the mandatory implementation of IT CATCH, which is the digital IUU catch certification scheme, as of January 2026. As a result, EU Member States will be able to reinforce and harmonise import controls and actions to ensure the legality of fishery products on our market from net to plate.
The Ocean Pact should be implementable to be meaningful. This is why a strengthened governance framework will be at the heart of our Pact. It will aim at reinforcing the way we all work together on the ocean.
For this reason, we are set to present an Ocean Act by 2027. We will build on a revision of the Marine Spatial Planning Directive – a Directive which coordinates different policies in terms of locating their activities in the maritime space in a harmonised way. We will broaden the scope of this Directive to ensure increased cross-sectoral coordination. The Act will ensure that existing targets linked to the ocean are identifiable under one roof and will facilitate their coherent and effective implementation, while at the same time decreasing administrative burden.
To support us in monitoring the implementation of the Pact, we also foresee the creation of an Ocean Board, gathering stakeholders from the sector and NGOs. And a dashboard to keep track of progress and make sure the promises of the Pact don’t remain a piece of paper.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In conclusion, with the Ocean Pact, we are aiming at:
- Fixing the policy fragmentation across our respective portfolios
- Boosting the competitiveness of the EU’s traditional and emerging Blue Economy sectors, strengthening its maritime industrial base and the blue economy’s social dimension, and supporting its coastal and island communities and outermost regions.
- Safeguarding the EU’s interests at sea and protecting its citizens and territory
- And protecting our ocean better, at the EU level and on the international scene through strengthening international ocean governance and reinforced ocean diplomacy.
All in all, the Ocean Pact is definitely not a message in a bottle, the European Ocean Pact demonstrates how the European Union is also an Ocean Union.
Source – EU Commission
Blueprint for blue waters: EU-backed research protecting & restoring our oceans
4 June 2025
The EU launches its pioneering Ocean Pact for sustainable ocean management. Discover how EU-funded projects are leading the charge in biodiversity preservation, growing the blue economy, and strengthening coastal communities.
The oceans, covering over 70% of our planet’s surface, are an invaluable resource, essential for life on Earth. Sadly, pollution, climate change, and overfishing pose a serious threat to the marine environment. Rich in biodiversity, fish stocks, and minerals, the ocean’s resources are crucial for preserving ecosystems and supporting economic activities worldwide.
Fragmented policymaking across Europe emphasises these challenges, highlighting the urgent need for a cohesive approach to protecting and restoring our oceans. Responding to the need, the European Commission has adopted a European Ocean Pact – a unified framework for marine preservation, based on a wide range of contributions from stakeholders, citizens, and experts. The pact was announced by President von der Leyen in her political guidelines for the next European Commission (2024-2029). It is also on the agenda of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in June 2025.
Under the Horizon Europe programme, the European Research Executive Agency (REA) is managing multiple projects that strengthen EU’s commitment to sustainable ocean governance. These projects cover a variety of topics, from biodiversity and the blue economy to expanding research efforts, developing strong governance, and increasing the resilience of coastal communities.
Protecting and restoring ocean health
From plankton to blue whales, each marine species plays a role in climate regulation and strengthens resilience of endangered ecosystems.
EU-funded project MARCO-BOLO connects global actors to improve marine biodiversity observation and management. It strengthens ocean health and governance by streamlining biodiversity processes – improving monitoring tools, integrating data, and offering guidance on information storage and sharing.
Coral ecosystems are especially vulnerable under increasing climate changes. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the MOANA project explores ecosystems in South-Pacific oceanic islands, gathering information on ecologically and socio-economically important species.
Find out more about MARCO-BOLO and MOANA projects.
Boosting the EU’s Blue Economy
Oceans are a large part of the EU economy, crucial for energy production, food industry and transportation. Blockchain technologies developed by EU-backed SEA2SEE project enhance transparency in seafood traceability, fostering trust and engagement among stakeholders and consumers.
To ensure that countries lagging behind in research and innovation are catching up with the rest of the EU in the sector of Blue Economy, BCThubs is building Blue Culture Technology Excellence Hubs in Greece, Bulgaria and Malta. The project contributes to sustainable exploitation of underwater cultural heritage, balancing economic growth with cultural preservation. By fostering development of tourism and education, it boosts local economies.
Find out more about SEA2SEE and BCThubs.
Advancing ocean research, knowledge, skills and innovation
There is still a lot we don’t know about the ocean. The MPA EUROPE project closes some of the knowledge gaps. The project is identifying locations for marine protected areas in European seas – based on species biodiversity and oceanic carbon storage capacities.
Additionally, it provides data-driven classification of ecosystems and a range of maps for thousands of species, available in an online atlas. This knowledge supports achieving marine protection targets by 2030.
Research initiatives can often be hampered by lack of access to necessary infrastructure. The AQUARIUS project, continuing the legacy of its predecessor EurofleetPlus, provides marine scientists with access to vessels, observation platforms, drones and research facilities across Europe. The initiative boosts opportunities for smaller projects, enhances international knowledge exchange, and promotes research collaboration.
Find out more about MPA EUROPE and AQUARIUS.
Strengthening EU ocean diplomacy and international ocean governance
Collective management of oceans’ resource can significantly increase marine health and biodiversity. The EU-funded GES4SEAS supports marine governance by developing and implementing tools for ecosystem-based management. Through a common framework, the project supports policies on regional, national and European level.
To ensure efficient use of ocean resources, the PERMAGOV project evaluates how institutional barriers and e-governance tools influence the implementation of EU marine policies. Gathering input from maritime industries, NGOs, researchers and policymakers, PERMAGOV helps overcome barriers that limit policy performance.
Find out more about GES4SEAS and PERMAGOV.
Supporting coastal, island communities and outermost regions
Coastal communities are the first to be impacted by rising sea level and rapid climate changes. To combat this issue, REST-COAST focuses on boosting coastal resilience through large scale restoration efforts that reduce erosion, prevent flooding, and protect biodiversity. Pilot projects across major European seas aim to improve coastal services and strengthen restoration and governance.
Healthy and productive fisheries are vital for the prosperity of coastal communities. SEAwise focuses on ecosystem-based fisheries management, which aims to balance social and economic benefits with environmental impacts. Drawing from case studies across Europe, the project helps us understand the effect of fisheries on coastal communities.
Find out more about REST-COAST and SEAwise.
Read more
- Commission adopts European Ocean Pact for a healthy ocean, a competitive blue economy and thriving coastal communities
- EU funding for environmental research and innovation projects
- EU’s contribution for sustainable oceans
- From vulnerability to viability: How EU-funded projects help regions on the climate crisis frontline
- Clean beaches and seas: How EU research projects tackle marine pollution
Source – EU Commission